What is the Jiffy Hip?
Jiffy hip, also known as direct anterior hip replacement surgery is a minimally invasive hip surgery to replace the hip joint without cutting through any muscles or tendons.
Indication for Jiffy Hip
Your surgeon may recommend hip replacement if you have significant pain, inflammation, and damage to your hip joint due to arthritis, but are otherwise relatively healthy.
Preparation for a Jiffy Hip
Preoperative preparation for a jiffy hip may involve the following steps:
- A review of your medical history and a physical examination are performed by your doctor to check for any medical issues that need to be addressed prior to surgery.
- You will be asked if you have allergies to medications, anesthesia, or latex.
- You should inform your doctor of any medications, vitamins, or supplements that you are taking or any conditions you have such as heart or lung disease.
- You may be asked to avoid medications such as blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatories for a specific period prior to surgery.
- You should not consume any solids or liquids at least 8 hours prior to surgery.
- You need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
Procedure for Jiffy Hip
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia.
- You will lie down on your back, on a special operating table that enables the surgeon to perform the surgery from the front of the hip.
- Your surgeon may use fluoroscopic imaging during the surgery to ensure the accuracy of component positioning and to minimize leg length inequality.
- Your surgeon will make an incision, about 4 inches long on the front of the hip. The muscles are pushed aside to gain access to the joint and perform the replacement.
- Next, the femur bone is separated from the acetabular socket.
- The acetabular surface is prepared using a special instrument called a reamer.
- The acetabular component is cemented or fixed with screws into the socket and the liner is placed inside the acetabular component.
- The femoral head that is worn out is cut off and the femur bone is prepared using special instruments so that the new metal component fits the bone properly.
- Then the new femoral component is inserted into the femur bone either by a press fit or by using special bone cement.
- Once the artificial components are fixed in place, the instruments are withdrawn, and incisions are closed with sutures and covered with a sterile dressing.
- This procedure usually takes about 45 minutes.
Postoperative Care for Jiffy Hip
- After the procedure, you may go home the same day of surgery to recover.
- Take medications as prescribed to relieve pain and prevent infection.
- Physical therapy may be recommended to restore hip function and strength.
- Eat a healthy diet and do not smoke to facilitate healing and promote a faster recovery.
- Contact your doctor if you observe increased swelling or redness in the operated area.
Risks and Complications of a Jiffy Hip
Risks and complications with the procedure are rare, but can occur and may include:
- Infection at the incision site or joint space
- Fracture
- Nerve damage
- Hemarthrosis - excess bleeding into the joint after the surgery
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Leg length inequality
